Gun training mechanism with limit stops



1954 F. E. STRATTON ET AL 2,687,675

GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Filed Oct. 23, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet l [fiwnlora Finn]: 81m Hon .Frns i aYNo/rcs Frmmf EC/zase By 25/: ir Aizorney .Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ETAL 2,687,675

GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Filed Oct. 2a. 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 [771/671 fora FmnkE Sim Hon aNolres cs2 E. Chase Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ET AL cum TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Filed on. 23. 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet a Nola-3c Er): 6.5 2 EChase Ernes A5.

Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ET AL GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Filed on. 2a, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 n m hw n a 8 6 8 3 j m m m I Pill. I A h i l I I II- F Er UJ hvaniam Fmnkl ldirafion Frnesi 6110!:66 Ernest E Chase l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ET AL GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Flled Oct 23 1946 Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ETAL 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ET AL 2,537,675

GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Filed Oct. 23, 1946 12Sheets-Sheet 7 fizz/672 fora FranlrESzraz for: 13 Z'r-nas i451 Nukes Fr nesz EC/zase B the i Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ET AL GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS l2 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 23, 1946 Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ET AL sun TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Filed Oct. 23. 1946 12 Shee ts-Sheet 9 fora ' Straizon Ernest Nalces Ernest 5672066 .59 the 'r-At Zorney F. E. STRATTON ET AL GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Filed 001.. 23, 1946 Aug. 31, 1954 12 Sheets-Sheet l0 FrankEJfraZfon Ernest S'Nokes ErneszEC/mse 1 By the A Aug. 31, 1954 F. E. STRATTON ET AL 2,687,675

GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS Filed on. 23, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 [In/6n fora Frank E45! razzon Irnes l SA/01:65

I'fnes z E Chase Aug. 31, 1954 Filed 001;. 23, 1946 F. E. STRATTON ET AL GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STOPS 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Patented Aug. 31, 1954 GUN TRAINING MECHANISM WITH LIMIT STIOPS Frank E. Stratton, Ernest S. Nokes, and Ernest E. Chase, Beverly, Mass., assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 23, 1946, Serial No. 705,104

14 Claims.

This invention relates to gun mounts and is particularly concerned with improvements in the gun operating and controlling systems of such mounts.

In gun mounts which move in train relatively to their supporting structure and carry a gun or guns movable in elevation relatively to the mount manually-controlled, power-operated means including hydraulic motors provided with control valves are frequently used for imparting movement to the gun and/or to the mount. However, it has been found that in using such power-operated means the mount operation may be terminated while the control valves remain open so that upon restarting of the power operation the movement of the mount and/or gun is resumed at an-accelerated rate. It is an object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage and to improve the action of the gun operating and controlling system.

In accordance with one feature of the inven tion, the operation of the power-operated means can be started only when the manual control for said means is in a neutral position so that an unduly sudden start of the movement of the mount and/or gun will be avoided.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the gun operating and controlling system is provided with cams which are operated by the manual control and regulate the power drive. The cams may be moved to neutral positions to terminate the power drive whenever limit stops connected with the cams reach a predetermined position.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a left hand side view of a gun mount;

Fig. 2 is a right hand side View of the mount;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a gun operating and control system for the mount, including also a fire interrupter mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a side view, partly in section, of a portion of the hydraulic power means;

Fig. 5 is a rear view, partly in section, of hand grips and connections moved by the hand grips to control the operation of the hydraulic power means;

Fig. 6 is a side view of th connections associated with the hand grips;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line VII-VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIIIVIII of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line IX--IX of Fig. 5 of a device for returning the hand grips to neutral position upon release from a rotation effecting movement of the mount in train;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line X-X of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a side view of means for limitin the movement of the mount in train;

Fig. 12 is a rear view, partly in section, of the means for limiting the movement of the mount in train, showing also a part of the fire interrupter mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a detail view of a device for returnll'lg to their initial positions connections associated with the means for limiting train movement;

Fig. 14 shows a manual release for renderingthe train limit means inoperative;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the train limit stop;

Fig. 16 is a view of a detail of the manual releave shown in Fig. 14

Fig. 17 is a side view of the elevation limit stop;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line XVIII-XVIII. of Fig. 17

Fig. 19 is a side view of the elevation limit stop mechanism and the manual fire interrupter mechanism;

Fig. 20 is a section on line XX-XX of Fig. 19 of a device for returning to their initial positions connections associated with the gun limit stop;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of a'portion of the fire interrupter mechanism on line XXI-XXI of Fig. 12;

Fig. 22 is a side view of a coupling in the firing mechanism; v

Fig. 23 is a section on the line XXIIIXXIII of Fig. 22; and

Fig. 2d is a wiring diagram.

Operating system.-General The invention is illustrated as embodied in a gun mount having a platform It (Figs. 1 and 2) and a base II. The platform l6 has vertical brackets [2 on which a gun It is mounted and supports the gun operating and controlling system. Provided in the base H which may be secured in any fixed location such as, for example, the deck of a ship is a stationary gear It (Fig. 3) about the axis of which the mount rotates.

The operating system for moving the mount H], II in train and for movin a gear segment It (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), secured to the un, to'ele vate o-r depress the gun, is hydraulic and includes an oil tank 20 (Fig. 1) and two hydraulic pumps 22 one for train and one for elevation; Both pumps are driven by an electric motor 2s, a pinion 26 (Fig. 4) rotated by the electric motor meshing with pump gears 26. The'train pump is provided with a known control valve 30 (Figs. 3 and 4.) and the elevation pump with a control valve 32. The valves El), 32 regulate the flow of oil to a hydraulic motor 34 (Figs. 2 and 3) for moving the mount in train and to a hydraulic motor 36 (Figs. 1 and 3) for elevating and depressin the gun, the motors completing the hydraulic system. Controlling system.--General The movement of the control valves 30, 32

and thus the movement of the mount about thegear I5 and the movement of the gun relatively to the mount during the power operation of the mount is controlled by hand grips 38' (Figs. 1, 3; and 5) secured. to a shaft 45 (Fig. 5) which rotates in a supporting case 42. A cylindrical extension 44 projecting downward from the bottom of the case 42 is rotatably mounted in a housing 45 which is carried by a post 47' (Figs. 1 and 5) of the mount and contains the connections for transmitting the hand grip motions totheoontrolvalves 3B,. 32 (Figs. 3 and 4). R- tation of the hand grips about a vertical axis, i'. e., rotary movement of the case 42 is transmitted, in a manner tobe' described below, to a train cam 43 (Figs. 3 and and rotation of the hand grips about a horizontal axis, 1. e., rotary movement of the shaft 40 is transmitted to' an elevation cam 50. provided in a cam box 52 and their movements are transmitted to the control valves 30, 32', to operate the mount, through connections described below.

Train operating and controlling system Clampedonto the lower end. of the cylindrical extension 44 and held in position by a clamp screw 54 is an arm 56 provided with a bifurcated end 5%. A swivel block 60 is pivotally mounted the arm end 53 by screws 62 having conical points. Mounted in the block 60 is one end of a rod 64 (Figs. 5 and 6') which, between its ends, carries another swivel block 66 (Figs. 6 and '7). A collar 68 is secured to the outer, right-hand end (Fig. 6) of the rod 64, adjacent to the swivel block 60, and a collar is attached to the rod adjacent to the swivel block 66. Springs 12-, I4 surround the rod 64 between the swivel blocks Bil, 8i)- and clamp collars l6-,. 18 on the rod, the springs serving to permit the described connections to yield when a reverse movement is imparted to the cam 48 by elements eif ecting a termination of the mount, as will be described.

The bifurcated upper end of a train lever 80 (Figs. 6 and 7) is pivotally connected to the swivel block E56 by screws 82 and the lower end of said train lever 36 is clamped on a train cross shaft 84 and is held secured to the shaft by means of a clamp screw 85, the lever 80' serving to rotate the shaft 84. One end of the shaft 84 rotates in a bearing 85 in a support 88 (Fig. 7) mounted in a cover 96 secured to the housing 45. The train cross shaft 84 passes through an elevation cross shaft 92 supported by a sleeve 94, one end of which is mounted in the housing 46 and the other end of which is mounted in the cam box 52 (Fig. 5). The other or right-hand end (Fig. 7) of the shaft 84 is journaled in a bracket 95 (Fig. 4) attached to the cam box 52.

The train cam 48 (Fig. 5') is held in position on the cross shaft 84 (Figs. 4 and 8) by a clamp screw 98 and rotates with the shaft 84. These rotary movements are transmitted to the control valve 30 through a cam lever I69 one end of which is pivoted at I02 to a bracket I04 (Fig. 4) at- The cams 48,- 50 aretached to the cam box 52 by screws 135, 'a pin I08 secured to the cam lever I09 carrying a roll IIO (Figs. 5 and 8) which moves in a curved slot II2 (Figs. 4 and 8) in the cam 43. The other end of the lever I00 has a ball joint connection *4 with. arod IIB which through connecting parts H8, I20, I22 (Fig. 4') is joined to the train control valve 30.

Upon release of the hand grips 38 the case 42 is always returned to its neutral position by the following device, illustrated in Fig. 9. A projection I24 on the arm 58 is engaged at opposite sides by plungers Hit which are mounted in apertures I28? of the housing 46 and are pressed into engagement with the projection I24 by springs I60. Either plunger I25, depending on the direction of. rotation of the arm 5%, may yield against the pressure of its spring I30. The plunger i26 then moves outward through its aperture, a plug I 32 threaded into the outer end of the aperture I28 and a. cap IE4 mounted on the plug I32. Nuts I36 and check nuts I33 on the outer ends of the plungers I26 are soset that the plungers I26 at the limit of their inward movement hold the projection I24; and thus the case 42, i-nan initial or neutral position. v

A projection I39 (Fig. 6) on'the case 42 engages stops (not shown) during rotation of the case 42 and limits the extent of movement of the case.

Operation of train operating (and controlling system When the case 42'. is rota-ted aboutv its vertical axis (see Fig. 5) by the hand. grips 38,. the arm 56 is moved accordingly, compressing one of the springs I (Fig. 9) through the projection I2'4'.

lockwise movement of the arm 55 (Fig. 9) will move the rod 64 to the left as seen in Fig. 6, thus rotating the shaft 8 through the lever 80 and shifting. the train cam 18 in. a clockwise direction (Fig. 4). The cam movement is transmitted to the control valve 38 through the connecting parts i I 6, H8, I213, I22, the extent of movement of the hand grips 33' andthe case 47. determining the extent to which the cam 48' is shiftedand the valve 30 is opened to move the mount in a clockwise direction. Movement of the arm 56 in counterclockwise direction (Fig. 9) will move the rod 64 to the right of Fig. 6, the cam 48 being shifted in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4) to regulate the position of the valve 30- for movement of the mount in a counterclockwise direction.

Upon release of the case 42 the spring I30 which has been compressed will return the parts to neutral position.-

Elevation operating and controlling system An elevation lever I (Figs. 5 and 6) is clamped to the shaft 46 and is held in clamped position by a screw I42 (Fig. 5). The lever I40 is joined for universal movement to the upper end of a vertical rod I44 by means of a ball connection. The rod I44 extends downward through the cylindrical extension 44 of the case 42 and has mounted thereon, within the housing 46, a swivel block I46 to which one bifurcated arm of a bell crank. lever I48 (Figs. 5 and 6) is pivoted by screws I having conical points. The bell crank lever I 48 swings about a fulcrum pin I52 which is held in position in a wall of the housing 46 by means of nuts I54 and I56 threaded on the ends thereof. A swivel block I58 is pivotally mounted in the other bifurcated arm of the bell to the end of the rod I44.

crank lever I48 by screws I60. The swivel block I58 slidably supports the lower end of a rod I62 (Fig. 6) which is pivoted at I64 to a lever I66 clamped on the elevation cross shaft 92 (Fig. 7) and held in clamped position by a screw I88, so that the shaft 92 is rota-ted by the lever I66.

Surrounding the rod I62 is a compression spring I10 (Fig. 6), one end of which abuts a shoulder on the rod and the other end of which engages the swivel block I58. The opposite side of the block I58 abuts a collar I12 secured to the lower end of the rod I62. A compression spring I14 surrounds the lower end of the rod I44, one end of the spring engaging the swivel block I46 and the other end engaging a collar I16 secured A collar I18 is secured to the rod I44, abutting the swivel block I46 on the side of the block opposite to that engaged by the spring I14. The springs I10, I14 have the same function as the springs 12, 14 described above. 4

As shown in Fig. 10, the elevation cam 50 is clamped to the end of the shaft 92 within the cam case 52 and is held in clamped position by a screw E80 so that it moves with the shaft 92. These movements are transmitted to the control valve 32 through the following connections. Fulcrumed at I82 to the cam case 52 (Fig. 4) is a bell crank lever I84 (Figs. 4, 5, and 10) Mounted on a pin I 86 secured to the lever I84 is a roll I88 adapted to move in a curved slot I98 of the elevation cam 50. Pivoted to the lever I84 at I92 is a bell crank lever I94 which swings about a fulcrum I96 and is pivotally joined to a link I98 (Figs. 4 and 10) connected to the Valve 32.

The hand grips 38 are returned to neutral position upon their release by a device corresponding to that for centralizing the case 42. A segment 288 (Figs. 5 and 6) is clamped to the left end of the shaft 40 (as seen in Fig. 5), and is held in clamped position by a screw 202. Engaging diametrically opposite faces on the segment 280 are plungers 204 (Fig. 6) which are pressed into engagement with the segment faces by springs 206 and are mounted in apertures 208 of the grip handle case 42. Each plunger 204 may yield in an outward direction, moving through its aperture, a plug 2I0 threaded into the case 42 at the outer end of the aperture 208 and a cap 2I2 threaded on the plug 2I0. Secured to the ends of the plungers 204 are nuts 2I4 and check nuts 2I6 which determine the limit of the inward movement of the plungers 204 under the pressure Operation of the elevation operating and control- Zing system The elevation valve 32 is operated in the following manner. A rotation of the hand grips 38 about the axis of the horizontal shaft 40 serves to move the rod I44 upward or downward depending upon the direction of rotation, compressing one of the springs 206. Assuming the rod is moved upward by a clockwise rotation (Fig. 6) of the shaft 40, the rod I44 will swing the bell crank lever I48 counterclockwise thus actuating the rod I62 to rotate the lever I66 and the shaft 92. In rotating, the shaft 92 moves the cam 50 counterclockwise (Fig. 4), which movement is 6 transmitted to the valve 32 through the levers I84, I94, to elevate the gun. v A downward movement of the rod I44 swings the bell crank lever I48 clockwise (Fig. 6), actuating the rod I62 to rotate the shaft 92 in the opposite direction. The cam 50, moving in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4, then regulates the valve 32 so as to depress the gun.

Upon release of the hand grips 38 the spring 206 which has been compressed will return the parts to neutral position.

Control switches Secured to the top of the housing 46 is-a microswitch box 222 (Figs. 6 and 7) provided with brackets 224 which carry plates 226 extending downward through an opening 221 of the housing 48. Each plate 226 carries a micro-switch 228. The switches 228 are in series with grip switches 230 (only one shown in Fig. 5) which are mounted in the hand grips 38 and start the operation of the electric motor 24 (Figs. 1 and 4) To operate the switches 238 each hand grip 38 has a switch lever 232 (Fig. 5) secured to a pivot pin 234 which rotates in the hand grip. A spring 235 normally holds its switch lever 232 in inopera tive position in which a switch arm 236 secured to the pivot pin 234 is out of engagement with its associated switch 230.

When the levers 232 are pressed inward, the switch arms 236 close the grip switches 230. However, the electric motor cannot be started unless the micro-switches 228 (Fig. 7) are also closed. These switches, which may be called control switches since they control or determine the ability of the grip switches to cause the motor to start, are closed by the levers and I68 and can be closed by said levers only when the control parts, including the hand grips 38, are in their neutral positions, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. As shown on the wiring diagram (Fig. 24) closing of either of the grip switches 230 and of the microswitohes 228, which are in series therewith, will cause relays 229 and HI to be energized. Energization of the relay 23I closes the motor circuit, whereupon the motor 24 will start and run. Energization of the relay 229 will close a holding circuit 23, short circuiting the micro-switches 228. The motor 24 will thereafter continue to run as long as either grip switch 230 remains closed, regardless of whether the micro-switches 228 are open or closed. However, if the switches 238 are opened while the hand grips and/or the case 42 are displaced, at which time the control valves 38, 32 (Fig. 4) are open, the motor cannot be restarted as long as the hand grips 38 remain displaced. The hand grips 38 must always first be returned to neutral position, to close the microswitches 228, before operation of the mount can be resumed. This prevents a starting of the mount and/or gun operation at an accelerated rate.

Train limit control To regulate the extent of the movement of the mount in train in either direction from its neutral position, a control mechanism is provided as will be described below. The control mechanism is contained in a box 231 (Fig. 11) secured to the mount and is operated by the train 7 a bevel gear 246,. rotation of which transmitted, on the one hand, to elements of the control mechanism, which elements efiect a termination,

i. a, limitation of the mount movement", and, on the other hand, to the remaining train drive parts consisting of a shaft 2 a pinion 250,, a gear 252:, and a pinion 25%, the latter meshing with the train gear Hi to rotate the mount.

To operate the control mechanism, the gear 2% rotates. a bevel gear 255 secured to a limit stop drive shaft 5353 (Figs. 3 and 11) mounted in the box 23:. A worm 25c on the shaft 253 rotates a worm gear 262 secured to a shaft 2% (Fig. ll). Attached to the shaft 2% is a pinion 25,23 which transmits rotation to a gear 268 at the ratio of 2 to 1.

Attached to the opposite side faces of the gear 233 are discs El Eli (only one shown in Figs. 3 and 11, both shown in Fig. 12') which are the elements for effecting a termination of the mount movement. The disc Elf! has a radially projecting tooth 2'32 (Fig. 11) and the disc 2' has a tooth 21%, the teeth effecting termination of the mount movement as will be described. The angular position of the discs Jill, 2H and thus the time at which the teeth 2%, 21 3 are active may be varied as desired by adjustin the discs 218, 2'5! on the gear 2%, screws Zlfi for securing the discs to the gear extending through concentric slots 2.2"8 in the discs.

Cooperating with the teeth 2T3, 2M are pawls 288 $.32 (Fig. 11) mounted on a common pivot pin 23% at opposite sides of an arm 28% of a threearmezl lever 288. Torsion springs 2% hold the upper end of each pawl in engagement with a stop pin 292 projecting beyond both. sidesof the arm Thus, each pawl 2'39, 282 is mounted to yield in one direction, the pav/l's yielding in opposite directions relatively to each other. The lever may be rotated about an eccentric shaft 254 which is mounted in a projection 295 on the inner face of one of the control mechanism box walls, a rotation being imparted to the lever 288 by one of the discs 2'16, 27! through the tooth 2'62 or 27:; and the associated pawl 289 or 282.

A second arm 298 of the lever 238 is pivoted to a link 3% which in turn is pivotally connected to an arm 382 of a relief lever 23% mounted on a shaft 356. The lever 364 (Fig. 3) has two functions: it transmits movement to the train cam '63 and it operates a stop device which acts on the shaft 258. To move the cam 4'3, an arm 3633 (Figs. 3 and 11) of the lever 364 is pivoted at 3513 to a connecting link Biz which, through a cable 31% (Fig. 3-), is joined to a stop lirli 3E5 (Figs. 4 and 8). ifhe link 3H5 is connected to the cam 48 by a screw 3E8 which extends through a slot 329 in the link 3H, the slot 320 permitting movement of the cam 8 relatively to the link 3E6 when. the shaft 8% is rotated by the train control parts described above. When one of the teeth 2T2, 2M engages its pawl 23!! or 282 and swings the lever 288, the link 7556 will be moved through the connections 390, 368, Bi l to rotate the cam 4'8 and return it to its neutral position, this cam movement being transmitted to the valve 30 to close the valve and shut off the hydraulic train system. During the rotation of the cam 48 and the shaft 8 3 by the train control connections, the spring '52 or M (Fig. 6) of the train control parts will be compressed, permitting a relative movement of the rod 64 to one of the swivel blocks 69, 68 since the hand grips are displaced. Whenever the turret has been stopped by the control 8 mechanism at either limit of its rotary movement, the hand grips. may be rotated in a direction opposite to that which resulted in the stopping of the mount to return the mount to its neu tral position or to move it toward its neutral position.

The stop device, referred to above, Which serves to terminate the rotation of the shaft 258 and thus of the pinion 25 i of the train drive (Fig. 3), prevents inertia from moving the mount beyond the predetermined limits when the hydraulic power system is cut off. Included in the device are left and right stops 322, 32 (Figs. 3, l1, and 12.) secured to the shaft 258. Means cooperating with the stops 322, 324 are rendered effective by the lever 394 through the following connections to engage the stops. A lever 325 coupled to the lever 3% (Figs. 3 and 11) has a ball joint connection 323 l1 and 12) with a vertical rod 330, the lower end. of which is connected to an arm 332 by means of a ball joint 334. The arm 332 is integral with av release cam 33% (Fig. 11) secured to one end of a shaft 388 which is rotatably mounted in bearings provided at the bottom of the case 231. Secured to the other end of the shaft 338 is a cam 340 corresponding to the cam 33%.

Pivotally mounted in the case 237 at opposite sides of the shaft 333 are the aforementioned means which cooperate with the stops 322, 324, said means including bumper spring cases 342, S i l (Figs. 3, 11, and 12). Secured to the cases 342, 344 are vertical arms 346, 3 55. A spring 355] is joined to the upper ends of the arms 3%, 348 and tends to draw the arms 3&6, 3 28 and thus the cases M2, 334 toward each other. Normally, however, the cases 3 12,v 34d are held swung apart by locking means consistin of a pawl 352 pivoted to the case 344 and a pawl 35% pivoted to the case 3'62, the free ends of the pawls abutting stops 356, 358 on opposite cases 342, 3% as shown in Fig. 12). Projecting from the center of each pawl is a tooth 360 (only one shown in Fig. 12) which in the locking position of its pawl engages in a notch 352 formed in the center of the top face of the cam 335 or 345], the cams serving as a release for the pawls.

When the lever 283 (Fig. 11) is rotated upon engagement of the tooth H2 or 2'54 with the pawl 2% or 232, the cams 33%, 34B are rotated through the connections 3%, 3M, 32%;, 331'! and swing the pawls 352, 354 (Fig. 12) upward out of engagement with the stops 355, 358 thus permitting the spring 358 to swing the arms 3%, 34B and the cases 342, 354 inward. Bumper rolls 3%, 365 carried by the spring cases 362, 3%- and forming a part of the aforementioned means for cooperating with the stops 322, 324 are then brought into a position in the path of stop faces on the stops 322, 324, one of which faces, depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft 258, will engage the associated roll 364 or 366 and thus terminate the rotation of the shaft 258.

Each roll 36%, 366 is carried by a head 36!] (Fig. 12) on a plunger 37!] which moves vertically in its case 342 or 324. This movement is limited by slots 312 formed in the cases in which slots pins 314 projecting from the plungers 378 are guided. Each head 368 with its roll 3'54 is normally held in a raised position, in which the corresponding pin 3'54. engages the upper end of its slot 312, by two springs Slfi, 318. Thus, when one of the stops 322, 32 i engages the associated r011 364, 366, the plunger 315 is depressed against the action of the springs 315, 3% which tend to absorb the shock. of the sudden stop. When the shaft 258 is rotated in a reverse direction upon resumption of the mount operation, the stops 322, 324 act as cams and swing the cases 342, 344 outward to their inoperative position, in which they are again locked by the pawls 352, 354.

A centralizing device (Fig. 13) is provided for facilitating the return of the lever 288, and the parts controlled. thereby, to their initial or neutral positions. The device comp-rises a housing 380 threaded into a wall of the case 237. Slidably mounted in the housing 366 is a rod 382 surrounded by a spring 384. One end of the spring 384 engages a washer 386 abutting a shoulder 388 on the rod 382 and the other end of the spring engages a washer 390 which is backed by a sleeve 392 attached to the end of the rod 382. A cap 394 threaded into the end of the case 380 prevents any movement of the washer 390 to the right of Fig. 13 from its neutral position while the bottom of the housing 386 prevents any movement of the washer 386 to the left of Fig. 13 from its neutral position. A link 396 (Figs. 11 and 13) connects the inner end of the rod 382 to an arm 398 of the lever 288. Depending on the direction of rotation of the lever 288, the rod is either moved inward, whereby the spring 384 is compressed by the washer 396, or the rod is moved outward, whereby the spring 384 is compressed by the washer 366. Upon reverse movement of the mount, the spring 384 returns the lever 288 and the parts operated by the lever, including the cams 356, 346 (Fig. 12), to their initial positions.

The pawls 260, 282 (Fig. 11) may be swung into inoperative position, out of the pathways of the teeth 272, 274, by manual means to permit movement of the mount beyond the limit stops during servicing. These means include an arm 460 (Figs 14 and 15) Which is secured to a shaft 462 rotatably mounted in a wall of the case 231. The arm 460 carries a movable pin 463 provided with a knob 454 for manually shifting the arm 406 and rotating the shaft 462 which is joined to the eccentric shaft 294 by a link and pin connection 445 (Figs. 14. and 16).

Normally a spring 466 (Figs. 14 and 15) se cured to the inner wall of the case 237 and to an arm 466 on the inner end of the shaft 462 holds the arm 441} in engagement with a stop pin 4I0 and the pin 443 is entered into a hole in the case wall to lock the arm 466. The lever 288 at this time rotates about the shaft 294 when acted on by the teeth 212, 214. If the pawls 286, 282 are to be swung out of the paths of the teeth 212, 214, the pin 443 is moved out of engagement with the case wallv and the arm 46!] is swung clockwise (Fig. 15) by means of the knob 464 rotating the eccentric shaft 294 and raising the lever 288 (Figs. 14 and 16).

Elevation limit control The extent of the elevation and depression of the gun is limited in the following manner. Secured to the right hand gun trunnion by screws 4I2 (Figs. 1'7, 18, and 19) are a plate M4 and a gear 4I6. Mounted on the hub of the gear 4I6, behind the plate 4I4, are two elements or levers M8 and 420 which are set to eiTect a stopping of the gun movement at predetermined limits and are adjustably secured to the plate M4 by bolts 422 extending through curved slots 424 in the plate 4 I 4.

To stop the movement of the gun, one of the levers M8, 420, depending on the direction of rotation of the gun trunnion, engages a roll 426 X that of the mount I0,

'10 (Figs. 3 and 17) carried by one arm of a bell crank lever 428 (Figs. 3, 17, and 19) and swings the bell crank lever about its fulcrum pin 436 on the righthand supporting bracket I2 (Fig. 19). The other arm of the bell crank lever 428 is joined to a link 432 (Figs. 3 and 19) which, through a cable 434, is connected to an automatic stop link 436 (Fig. 10). The link 436 is joined to the elevation cam 55] by a screw 438 extendin through a slot 440 in the link 436, the slot permitting movement of the cam 58 relative to the link when the shaft 62 is rotated by the previously described elevation control A movement of the link 436 upon the swinging of the bell crank lever 428 will return the cam 54 to its neutral position, closing the control valve 32 through the levers I84, I94 thus terminating the gun movement. This movement of the cam 56 also rotates the shaft in direction opposite to that in which it is rotated by the elevation control parts, the spring ill or H4 (Fig. 6) yielding to permit movement of the block I 46 relative to the rod I44 or movement of the rod I62 relative to the block I 58 since the hand grips 38 remain displaced. whenever the gun has been stopped by the control mechanism either at its limit of depression or elevation the hand grips may be rotated in a direction opposite to that which resulted in the stopping of the gun to return the gun to its neutral position or to move it toward its neutral position.

A centralizing device (Fig. 20) is provided for returning the bell crank lever 428 and its connections to their neutral positions. The device includes a rod 442 pivoted to the bell crank lever 426. The rod 442 moves in a case 444 J'ournaled on the gun mount and passes through a cap 446 threaded onto the case 444. Surrounding the rod 442 within the case 444 is a spring 448, one end of which engages a washer 450 normally resting against a shoulder in the lower end of the case 444 and backed by a sleeve 45l threaded on the lower end of the rod 442. The other end of the spring 448 engages a washer 452, which is seated against a shoulder on the rod and outward movement of which is limited by the cap 446. The spring 448 is compressed either by the washer 456 or the washer 452, depending upon the direction of movement of the rod 442 when acted on by one of the levers M8 or 424. Upon reverse movement of the gun, after having reached the elevation or depression limit, the sprin 448 returns the bell crank lever 428 and the parts associated therewith to their initial positions.

Fire interrupter When the gun is moving in train with the mount or in elevation or depression relatively to the mount, it at times points at surrounding structure and it is necessary at such times to interrupt the firing 0f the gun in order to guard against striking these parts and causing damage. To do so the mount is provided with a fire interrupter mechanism including a cam 454 (Figs. 3, 12, and 21) which is rotated by the gear 268 through gears 456, 458, at a rate corresponding to I I in train. Mounted to travel on the face of the cam 454 is one end of a plunger 460 (Figs. 12 and 21) slidably carried by a support 462. The support 462 is threaded on the lower end of a two-piece bar 464, the upper end of which is provided with rack teeth 465 (Figs. '17 and 19) meshing with the gear 4I6. Thus the gear 4I6, rotating with the gun in elevation or depression, will move the bar 464 verti- 11 cally and move the plunger 468 across the face of the cam 454.

The other end of the plunger 468 abuts a lever 466 (Figs. 12 and 21) secured to a shaft 468. A spring 418 holds the plunger 468 in engagement with the face of the cam 454 through the lever 466. When the plunger 468 rides onto a high face of the cam either during the vertical movement of the bar 464 or during rotation of the cam 454, the plunger 468 is moved outward and rotates the lever 466 and the shaft 468 to interrupt the firing through the following connections. ,Splined to the shaft 468 is a lever 412 which carries a pin 414 in its outer end. The pin 4'14 engages the side face of a lever 416 mounted to rotate about the shaft 468. The lever 416 is connected to one end of a rod 418 through a ball joint connection 488 (Fig. 12) The other end of the rod 418 is pivotally connected to a bell crank lever 482 (Fig. 3) which, through a connected to a two-armed lever 486. Movement of the connections 412, 416, 418, 486 disengages a coupling between a firing treadle 488 and the gun.

The coupling comprises and 23) which is mounted drical housing 492 and is connected to the firing treadle 438, and a disc 494 which is likewise mounted for rotation about the housing 492. and is connected to a firing rod 496 (Figs. 3 and 22). Pivoted to the disc 494 is a pawl 491 (Fig. 22) which normally is held in engagement with a locking face 499 on the disc 49.8 by a spring 499, thus coupling the discs 498, 49.4 for joint rotation upon movement of the firing treadle 48.8.

Mounted in the housing 492 is a plunger 588 (Fig. 23), the outward movement of which, under the pressure of a spring 582, is limited by a screw 504, engaging in a slot 585. of the plunger 588. In the outer position of the plunger. 588 one end of a pin 586 slidably mounted in the disc 490 engages in a depression 588 formed in the plunger 588, the other end of the pin engaging the pawl 491. When the lever, 486 is rotated by the fire interrupter connections, it. moves the plunger 588 inward againstthe pressure of the spring 582 and cams the. pinv 586. out of the depression 588 swinging the pawl 49.1 outv of locking engagement with the, disc 498, thus disengaging the discs 498, 494. Depressionof the treadle 488 (Fig. 3) will now merely rotate the disc 498. idly relatively to the disc 494, a pin 51.8 in the disc 488 moving in a slot 512 of thedisc 494, and no movement will be transmitted to the firing rod 496.

When the fire interrupter parts have been returned to their normal positions upon reverse movement of the mount or the gun, it is necessary to release the treadle 488 before firing can be resumed. The release of the treadle permits a spring 513, connected to the disc 498. (Fig. 22) to return the disc 498 to its initial position-so that the pawl 491 may again be moved to locking position by its spring 499, thereby recoupling the disc 498 and 494.

In addition to the automatic fire interrupter mechanism represented by the cam 454, the firing of the gun may be interrupted manually at any time. The manual fire interrupting, device includes a rod 514 (Figs. 2, 3, and 19) provided with a knob 516. The rod 514 extends through a cylindrical housing 518 (Fig. 19) on the mount and is surrounded by a spring 528.which abuts a shoulder 522 on the rod and a seat 524 in the. housing 518. Normally the spring 528 holds the rod 514 and the knob 516 in their upper, inoperaa disc 498 (Figs. 3, 22, to rotate about. a cylinrod 484, is

12 tive position determined by the engagement of a collar 526 on the rod 514 with the bottom of the housing 518.

The lower end of the rod 514, projecting from the housing 518, is pivotally connected to a lever 528 which, through a rod 588, a bell crank lever 592, and a rod 534, is joined to a lever 536. The lever 536 also rotates about the shaft 468 (Fig. 12) and carries a pin 538 which engages a side face of the lever 4'16. Depression of the knob 516 will, through the connections 528, 53.8, 536, swing the lever 416 to disengage the disc 498 from the disc 494 in the same manner as described in connection with the automatic fire interrupting mechanism.

Operation The operation of the mount is apparent from the foregoing description but Will be briefly summarized here. Assuming that the manual control for the mount is in its neutral position and that the switches 228 consequently are closed, the gunner will, to operate the mount, grasp the manual control, 1. e., the hand grips 38, pressing the levers 232 inward to close the switches 288 and thus will start the motor 24. Rotation of the case 42, by the hand grips 98, in either direction about its vertical axis will shift the cam 48 accordingly through the connections 64, 88, 84, the cam 48 in turn opening the valve 38 through the connecting parts 116 to 122 to rotate the mount in train. Clockwise movement of the case 42 will effect the mount and counterclockwise movement of the case 42 will effect counterclockwise rotation of the mount. Rotation of the hand grips about their common horizontal axis will shift the cam 58 accordingly through the connections 144, 148, 152, the cam 58 opening the valve 32 through the connecting parts 184, 194 to move the gun. Downward movement of the hand grips about their horizontal axis will effect depression of the gun and upward movement of the hand gripsv will effect elevation of the gun. If the grip switches 238 are opened while the hand grips and/or the case 42 are displaced, the hand grips must be returned to their neutral position to close the microswitches 228 before the operation of the mount can be continued so that the operation ofthe mount and/or the gun will not be started at an accelerated pace.

Whenever the. mount reaches the limit of its movement in train in either direction, the lever 288. is rotated accordingly by the corresponding disk 21 or 211 through the pawl 288 or 282 to close the valve 38 through the connecting parts 998, 312, 314 and the cam 48, the lever 288 simultaneously operating the stop device 322, 324, 864, 366 through the connections 38, 384, 326, 388, 386, 348 so that inertia will not carry the mount beyond its predetermined limit of movement when the hydraulic power system is cut off. The lever 288 and the parts controlled thereby are returned to neutral position by the centralizing device shown in Fig. 13 upon reverse movement of the mount.

Movement of the gun is stopped at its limit of elevation or depression by the adjustable levers 418, 428 which, through the connecting parts 428, '432, 4-34 and the cam 58, close the valve 32. The centralizing device shown in Fig. 20 returns the parts to their neutral positions upon reverse movement of the gun from its elevation or depression limits.

Havingdescribedour invention, what we claim clockwise rotation of.

13 as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with poweroperated means for moving the mount in train, power-operated means for moving the gun in elevation, and means for supplying power to both said power-operated means, of manuallyoperated means movable from a neutral position to control the supply of power to both the aforementioned power-operated means, and means operable only in the neutral position of the manually-operated means to start the operation of supplying power to the power-operated means.

2. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with hydraulic means for moving the mount in. train and hydraulic means for moving the gun in elevation, of an electric motor for actuating both the aforementioned hydraulic means, manually-operated means movable from a neutral position to control the operation of both the hydraulic means, means for starting the electric motor, and connections between the manually-operated means and the starting means efiective to render the starting means operative only when the manually-operated means is in its neutral position.

3. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with hydraulic means for moving the mount in train and hydraulic means for moving the gun in elevation, of an electric motor for actuating both the aforementioned hydraulic means, a manually-operated member movable from a neutral position to control the operation of both the hydraulic means, a motor circuit having two sets of switches, means associated with the manually-operated member for closing the first set of switches, and. means associated with the manually-operated member for automatically closing the second set of switches when the manually-operated member is in its neutral position.

4. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with hydraulic means, including a control valve, for moving the mount in train and hydraulic means, including a control valve, for moving the gun in elevation, of an electric motor for driving both the aforementioned hydraulic means, hand grips movable from a neutral position to regulate the movement of the control valves, switches in the hand. grips for starting the operation of the motor,

an electric circuit between the motor and said,

switches, and control switches arranged in the electric circuit in series with the starting switches whereby the electric motor can be started only when the hand grips are in neutral position.

5. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with power-operated means, including a control valve, for moving the mount in train, power-operated means, including a control valve, for moving the gun in elevation, and means for supplying power to both said power-operated means, of movable cams for regulating the operation of the control valves, 9. manually-operated member movable from a neutral position for determining the movement of the cams, means for starting the operation of the power supplying means, and connections between the manually-operated member and said cams for controlling the starting means and transmitting the movements of the manuallyoperated member to the cams, said connections acting on the starting means only when the manually-operated member is in its neutral position.

6. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with power-operated means for moving the mount in train and power-operated meas for moving the gun in elevation, of manually-operated means movable from a neutral position to control the operation of both the aforementioned power-operated means, yieldable connections for transmitting the movements of the manually-operated means, means associated with the yieldable connections, and efiective only when the manually-operated means is in its neutral position, for starting the operation of said power-operated means, and means for returning the manually-operated means to neutral position upon release thereof.

7. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with power-operated means for moving the mount in train and poweroperated means for moving the gun in elevation, of manually-operated means movable from a neutral position to control the operation of both the aforementioned power-ope'ated means, means for transmitting the movements of the manually-operated means to the power-operated means, and elements acting on the transmitting means to render the power-operated means inoperative when a predetermined limit of mount or gun movement has been reached.

8. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with hydraulic means, including a control valve, for moving the mount in train and hydraulic means, including a control valve, for moving the gun in elevation, of cams movable from an initial position to regulate the operation of the control valves, manually-operated means for determining the movement of the cams, elements for eifecting a limitation of the movement of the mount in train, elements for effecting a limitation of the movement of the gun, and connections between the aforementioned elements and the cams acting to return the cams to initial position when a predetermined limit of mount or gun movement has been reached.

9. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with hydraulic means for moving the mount in train and hydraulic means for moving the gun in elevation, of manually-operated means movable from a neutral position to control the operation of both the I aforementioned hydraulic means, adjustable elements, for effecting a limitation of the mount movement, operated by the mount operating hydraulic means, connections between said elements and the mount operating hydraulic means adapted to terminate the action of said hydraulic means when actuated by the elements, adjustable elements, for effecting a limitation of the gun movement, movable with the gun, and connections between the last-named elements and the gun operating hydraulic means adapted to terminate the action of the gun operating hydraulic means when actuated by said last-named elements.

10. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with hydraulic means, including a control valve, for moving the mount in train, of a gear transmission, including a drive shaft, operated by the hydraulic means, positive stopping means for the drive shaft, adjustabe discs, for efiecting a termination of the mount movement, rotated by the gear transmission, a lever operated by the discs, connections .between one arm of the lever and the hydraulic means for terminating the action of the hydraulic means when a predetermined limit of mount movement has been reached, and connections between another arm of the lever and said positive stopping means for stopping rotation of the drive shaft when a predetermined limit of mount movement has been reached.

11. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, power-operated means for moving the. mount in train, a manual control for the poweroperated means, a stop device for the mount, and means for stopping the movement of the mount when a predetermined limit of mount movement has been reached whereby said means terminates the action of the power-operated means and renders the stop device effective.

12. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, power-operated means for moving the mount in train, a manual control for the poweroperated means, a stop device for the mount, adjustable elements for variably effecting a limitation of the movement of the mount, connections movable by the adjustable elements from a neutral position to transmit the action of said elements to the power-operated means and to the stopv device when a predetermined limit of mount movement has been reached to terminate the movement of the mount, and means for returning the connections to their neutral position.

13. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gun movable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with hydraulic means, including a control valve, for moving the mount in train and hydraulic means, including a control valve, for moving the gun in elevation, of cams 1.6 movable fromaninitial position to regulate the operation of the control valves, adjustable elements for effecting a limitation of the movement ofthe mount in train, adjustable elements for effecting a limitation of the movement of the gun, a stop device for the mount, yieldable means movable from a. neutral position to engage the stop device, a locking device for holding the yieldable means in neutral position, connections, associated with the elements effecting limitation of the mount movement, for moving the mount control valve regulating cam toinitial position and for releasing. the locking device to terminate the mount movement when a predetermined limit of mount movement has been reached, and connections, associated with the elements eifecting limitation of the gun movement, for moving the elevation control valve regulating cam to initial position, to terminate the gun movement when a predetermined limit of gun movement has been reached.

14. In a gun mechanism including a mount movable in train, a gunmovable in elevation on the mount, and a gun operating and controlling system, the combination with hydraulic means, including a control valve, for moving the mount in train, of a cam movable from an initial position to regulate the operation of the control valve, manually-operated means for determining the movement of the cam, a gear train, including a drive shaft, operated by the hydraulic means, adjustable discs for effecting a limitation of the mount movement rotated by the gear train, stop members on the drive shaft, yieldable stops movable from an inoperative position to engage one or the other of the stop members, in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft, locking means for holding the yieldable stops in inoperative position, arelease mechanism for the locking means, and connections operated by the adjustable discs-to move the control valve regulating cam to its initia1 position and operate the release mechanism when a predetermined-limit of mount movement has been reached. 

